I want God to ignite my words with a match made in Heaven so that they burn in the heart of everyone who reads them or hears them, making them a furnace that spreads God’s warmth and light around the world.

“Daddy, look at my puzzle,” said a little boy carrying a single puzzle piece.

“That’s not a puzzle, son,” the father replied. “That’s just one piece.”

When we focus a church meeting on the performance of one, single piece, week after week; perhaps the Father says to us: “That’s not My church; that’s just one piece.”

Perhaps church isn’t just one parson preaching, but every person participating. (See 1 Corinthians 14:26)

Perhaps prayer isn’t saying to God that you want your way. Perhaps prayer is to lay down your way for God’s way.

Where ya stay?
Faith’s not what you say; it’s where you stay.
So stay with Jesus night and day!
Obey Him all the way!

When church permits every person (not just the parson) to participate; amazing things happen. For example on Sunday, November 9, 2014 at The Salvation Army Berry Street in Nashville, Tennessee, a racially, age, and socioeconomically diverse group of people actively showed genuine love for one another. After beautiful praise and worship morning, the Spirit led us to spend most of our meeting time together laying hands on and praying for one another. There were hugs, encouragement, tears, gifts of the Spirit, and an awesome sense of community.

Afterwards we shared a great pot-luck meal together. There were about 38 adults and 43 kids. People stayed around, enjoying the love of one another until 3:00 pm. I am so blessed to be a part of this!

If you are in Nashville, come and visit us sometime. Sundays @ 10:45 am., 225 Berry St., 37207.

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About Steve Simms

I like to look and think outside the box. In college I encountered Jesus Christ and I have been passionate about trying to get to know Him better ever since. My wife and I co-lead a non-traditional expression of the body of Christ in Nashville based on open participation and Spirit-led sharing. We long to see the power and passion of the first Christ-followers come to life in our time. I have written a book about our experiences called, "Beyond Church: An Invitation To Experience The Lost Word Of The Bible--Ekklesia" that is available in Kindle & paperback @ http://amzn.to/2nCr5dP